Billy Timmins
Question:71 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the veterinarian levies imposed on pigs; and the plans, if any, he has to discontinue these levies. [23279/98]
Written Answers. - Agricultural Levies.
The recovery of costs involved in providing a meat inspection service is obligatory under EU Directive 93/118/EC and any waiver or refund of these changes is prohibited by the existing legislation.
I have recently approached the EU Commission with a proposal to modify the application of these hygiene inspection charges in respect of the pigmeat sector for a temporary period. In the course of discussions with my Department, the Commission has made it clear that the discontinuation of hygiene inspection charges is incompatible with the directive and moreover that modification of the existing collection system could not be allowed.
While, in response to requests from Ireland and other member states, the Commission did introduce certain improvements to the support system to deal with the weak market, including substantial export refunds increases and the introduction of EU private funded storage, I am continuing to press for further action. In particular, I am pressing for improvement in the private storage system and for special export refunds to Russia. The Commission is examining the possibilities in this regard.